Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Simplified Version (Part II)

Wang Li was involved in the entire process of crafting the phonograph, but it was only his physical body participating; the real mastermind was Master Sheng. Wang Li himself knew nothing about the basics of artifact forging. Ultimately, creating a phonograph that could only play but not record was up to Master Sheng’s decision.

Master Sheng’s response was, “Agree to it. Isn’t it just a simplified version of a player? Easy as pie—make as many as needed!” After a moment’s thought, he added, “Ask Xiao Liu if he still needs you to forge a new phonograph.”

Wang Li asked, “Why do you want me to ask?”

Master Sheng replied, “Just ask. I bet that kid Liuguang has already dismantled the original one and now can’t put it back together. If you bring it up first, it’ll be far more effective than if he does.”

Wang Li was puzzled. “Shouldn’t we wait for them to bring it up themselves? That way we can take the initiative.”

“Taking the initiative depends on the timing. The terms they’re offering are generous. If you raise it yourself, it’ll make them see you’re not easily trifled with. And besides… since you’re playing the expert, play it to the end; if you quit halfway, it’ll only arouse suspicion.”

Wang Li thought it over and agreed with Master Sheng. He understood why the sect leaders wanted to reverse-engineer the phonograph’s secrets, but business was business. He was no longer just a disciple of Pure Yang Temple; he was a partner. Securing his own interests was most important.

They’d already promised him half the benefits; he had no reason not to take them. Besides, it was the sect leaders who’d tried to pry into the phonograph’s secrets first, so he felt no psychological burden about acting mysterious in return.

With this in mind, Wang Li said to Liu Wanjin, “Steward Liu, I can make the simplified phonograph—however many you need.”

Liu Wanjin’s face broke into a rare smile. “Steward Wang, you’re refreshingly straightforward. Here is an apology from the sect leader. Children are impulsive—please don’t take offense.”

Wang Li accepted the storage bracelet handed to him, slipping it into his robe sleeve without even looking at it.

Since he was determined to carry the expert persona to the end, Wang Li dispensed with formalities and said bluntly, “I suppose you’ve already dismantled that phonograph, haven’t you?”

Liu Wanjin and Granny Zheng exchanged glances, nodding together without a trace of embarrassment at being caught. They knew the disassembled phonograph couldn’t be restored—clearly a precaution left by the creator. Now that he’d raised the issue openly, it meant there was room for negotiation, so they had nothing to worry about.

Seeing their reaction, Wang Li couldn’t help but admire Master Sheng’s foresight.

“With conduct like yours, you deserve to get played!” he grumbled inwardly, but outwardly said, “It’s not that I don’t trust you, but as the saying goes, better safe than sorry. A little harmless trick—please pardon my caution.”

Liu Wanjin and Granny Zheng exchanged another meaningful look, each understanding the other’s thoughts.

“You call this a little trick? A technique that stumped a group of artifact masters is still ‘harmless’?”

“This kid really knows how to play the part!”

“Steward Wang, you jest. Now that we’re being open, there’s no need to conceal anything.”

Despite his inner complaints, Liu Wanjin spoke solemnly: “We’d like ten complete phonographs, and we also hope you won’t provide the full version to anyone outside Pure Yang Temple.”

Wang Li shook his head in silence.

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Liu Wanjin grew tense. “Are you dissatisfied with the terms we’re offering?”

Wang Li kept shaking his head, saying nothing. These reactions were all taught to him by Master Sheng. He didn’t fully understand them, but followed instructions.

Liu Wanjin became even more nervous. “Steward Wang, what does this mean? If you have any requests, please state them. As long as they’re not outrageous, we’ll consider them.”

“Ha… this Xiao Liu appears straightforward, but he has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. He’s quick with ambiguous words,” Master Sheng remarked. “Enough, kid. Rather than wasting time here, just lay out your terms.”

Wang Li asked, “What terms?”

“You can agree to their request but retain the Wang family’s right to use the phonograph. Also, ask them to bring your family to the Pure Yang Secret Realm. Your family is your only weakness; it’s too dangerous outside. Let them stay in the secret realm—so no one can threaten you through them.”

“I haven’t seen my family in a long time. I wonder if they’ll agree to come to the secret realm.”

“They must, whether they want to or not. Only by resolving this worldly karma will you be free of its burden. Besides, you’re now a juicy target—everyone wants a piece of you. Surely you wouldn’t want your relatives to suffer misfortune because of you?”

“Very well, let’s do it!”

With the phonograph about to be revealed and his identity impossible to hide, Wang Li knew that although others saw him as a soul-possessing reborn, there might still be those who’d risk it all to threaten his family. Better to solve the problem at its root than worry about it himself.

He didn’t believe anyone would dare cause trouble inside the Pure Yang Secret Realm!

Resolute, Wang Li spoke: “I have two conditions.”

Liu Wanjin said, “Please, go ahead!”

“I am from the Wang family of Great Wei, a military house. Though circumstances are unusual now, the Wang family still deserves special consideration,” Wang Li said slowly.

“Of course. Wang Li is known for his deep attachment to family; arranging for their welfare is only right,” Liu Wanjin replied, already guessing Wang Li’s intentions.

Wang Li noticed this sounded like arrangements for his posthumous affairs, and felt somewhat uncomfortable, but said aloud, “Precisely. My two conditions are:

First, the Wang family of Great Wei retains priority access to the phonograph. I will keep one phonograph for exclusive use by the Wang family and myself; this phonograph will not leave Pure Yang Temple.

Second, Wang Duo and his wife, along with their three children, must be brought to live in the Pure Yang Secret Realm. I don’t want anyone to suffer because of me.”

“No problem. I can promise these two conditions directly on behalf of the sect leader,” Liu Wanjin agreed readily.

These requests didn’t interfere with their plans, and bringing Wang Li’s relatives into the secret realm would indeed reduce the risk of the phonograph leaking. They had no reason to refuse.

After a brief pause, Wang Li added, “If possible, I hope the Temple will grant the Wang family extra spots whenever recruiting new disciples.”

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Liu Wanjin was taken aback by this additional request, then replied meaningfully, “There’s no need for you to worry about that, Steward Wang. After all, your admission to the Temple already shows the relationship between us and the Wang family.”

He nearly blurted out that the Wang family had already pulled plenty of strings. Wang Li’s request was merely to make the favoritism official—agreeing would be a matter of courtesy.

Liu Wanjin said, “I mean, granting the Wang family a few extra slots is fine, but whether their children can enter the inner sect will depend on their own abilities.”

“That’s acceptable. Thank you.”

Wang Li’s motivation for this request wasn’t some deep attachment to the Wang family, but simply a desire to see the surprised expressions of those relatives who’d always looked down on him. It was pure mischief.

Master Sheng couldn’t help but comment, “A youth without a bit of childishness isn’t a real youth!”

Liu Wanjin discussed a few more details with Wang Li, left Granny Zheng behind, and departed.

Although Wang Li wanted to talk to Granny Zheng about his master, his expert persona was now firmly established, and it wouldn’t do to ruin it immediately. After consulting Master Sheng, he didn’t even ask Granny Zheng to leave; instead, he ceded control of his body to Master Sheng and began forging the complete phonograph right there in Liu Wanjin’s meditation room.

Granny Zheng felt no need to avoid the process and watched the entire forging method.

Master Sheng’s forging techniques weren’t particularly advanced; Granny Zheng could follow every detail.

Just as she was confident she could replicate the phonograph, she suddenly felt the details she’d memorized grow fuzzy. Within moments, those memories vanished without a trace.

She was startled at first, but then recalled her master’s wariness toward Wang Li and immediately understood.

A being even a true immortal feared could hardly be so easily copied!

Master Sheng, while secretly observing Granny Zheng, continued crafting. Soon, ten complete phonographs appeared in the meditation room.

He finished and said to Granny Zheng, “You’ve come seeking a way forward?”

“Yes. My master hopes I can follow you to find a breakthrough,” Granny Zheng replied, not at all surprised that Wang Li discerned her purpose.

Master Sheng said, “Xu Jing is extraordinarily talented, but his path is too narrow. You following me may help; perhaps before long, your fortunes will turn.”

Granny Zheng responded calmly, “Then I shall trouble you.”

“No matter. I’m preparing to complete some lightning-based cultivation methods. You may try training in them. As they say, ‘Thunder nurtures all life; to seek life in the midst of death’—though seemingly pessimistic, it also represents great resolve in sacrifice. You are destined for the tribulation of all living beings; your opportunity lies beyond the heavenly thunder.”

“Thank you for your guidance.”